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Subchapter 7. General Industry Safety Orders
Group 20. Flammable Liquids, Gases and Vapors
Article 136. Dip Tanks
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§5434. Fire Protection.


(a) Except as noted in Section 5436(e) (applying to hardening and tempering tanks), all dip tanks exceeding 150 gallons liquid capacity, or having a liquid surface area exceeding four square feet, shall be protected with automatic extinguishing facilities or covers so designed and installed as to close automatically in case of fire. (See Section 5435.)

(b) Areas in the vicinity of dip tanks shall be provided with portable fire extinguishers suitable for flammable and combustible liquid fires, conforming to Article 157.

(c) Automatic water spray extinguishing systems shall conform to Article 163 and shall be arranged to protect tanks, drain boards and stock over drain boards.

(d) Automatic foam extinguishing systems shall conform to Article 163 and to NFPA No. 111983, NFPA 11A-1983, or NFPA 11B1977 and shall also conform to the following:

(1) Foam producing material selected shall be suitable for intended use, taking into account characteristics of the dip tank liquid.

(2) Overflow pipe shall be arranged to prevent the floating away of foam and clogging overflow pipe. This may be accomplished by either of the following:

(A) Overflow pipe may be extended through tank wall and terminated in an ell pointing downward.

(B) Overflow pipe inlet may be provided with a removable screen of one-fourth-inch mesh having an area at least twice the cross-sectional area of overflow pipe. Screens which may be clogged by dip tank ingredients shall be inspected and cleaned periodically.

(e) Automatic carbon dioxide systems shall conform to Article 162 and shall be arranged to protect both dip tanks and drain boards and unless stock over drain boards is otherwise protected with automatic extinguishing facilities, shall also be arranged to protect such stock.

(f) Dry chemical extinguishing systems shall conform to Article 161 and shall be arranged to protect both dip tanks and drain boards, and unless stock over drain boards is otherwise protected with automatic extinguishing facilities, shall also be arranged to protect such stock.

(g) Automatic closing process tank covers or special extinguishing systems shall be provided for open tanks under 150 gallons capacity or 10 sq. ft. in liquid surface area.

(h) Protection systems shall be provided for tanks 150 gallons capacity and over or 10 sq. ft. in liquid surface area and over. These systems shall be designed to protect the following areas:

(1) For process tanks the system shall protect the tank, drain board, freshly coated objects, hoods and ducts.

(2) For flow coaters, the system shall protect open tanks, drying tunnel, and ducts. Pumps circulating coating material shall be interlocked to automatically shut off on actuation of the system.

(3) For curtain and roll coating the system shall protect the coated object and open troughs or tanks of coating material. Pumps circulation coating material shall be interlocked to automatically shut off on actuation of the special protection system.

NOTE: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

HISTORY

1. Amendment filed 7-16-76; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 76, No. 29).

2. Amendment filed 9-8-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 37).

3. Editorial correction of subsection (d) filed 11-9-81; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 81, No. 45).

4. Editorial correction of subsection (c) filed 6-30-82 (Register 82, No. 27).

5. Amendment of subsection (d)(2)(A) filed 7-8-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 28).

6. Amendment of subsections (d) and (f) and new subsection (g) filed 12-5-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 51).

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